Lavontay Allen, a 15-year-old African American male from Rockford, Illinois, tragically lost his life on December 27, 2016. Lavontay was a promising student and athlete, known for his aspirations to escape the violence of his neighborhood through education and sports. He was a sophomore at Auburn High School, where he played on both the football and basketball teams. On the night of his death, Lavontay was a backseat passenger in a car driven by his mother, Jaton Watts. They were traveling with another family member near the intersection of South Central Avenue and Preston Street when another vehicle pursued them and opened fire. Lavontay was struck by the gunfire and, despite his mother's efforts to drive him to the hospital, he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Jaton Watts was also injured in the leg during the shooting.
The investigation into Lavontay Allen's death led to the arrest of Latravius Stringer, who was accused of being the shooter. Stringer, known by the nickname "two pistols," was identified by Jaton Watts as the person who fired the shots. However, during the trial, the defense argued that Watts initially could not identify the shooter and only later claimed that Stringer was responsible. The jury ultimately found Stringer not guilty of murder after a brief deliberation. Another suspect, Anthony Simms, who was also alleged to have been in the car during the shooting, was acquitted of murder charges earlier in June 2017.
Lavontay's death marked the 26th homicide in Rockford for the year 2016, highlighting the city's struggle with gun violence. The community mourned his loss with a candlelight vigil attended by over 100 people, including friends, family, and classmates. They remembered Lavontay for his sense of humor, big smile, and dreams of a better future. His death remains a poignant reminder of the impact of violence on young lives and the ongoing challenges faced by communities plagued by such tragedies.
